Thursday, December 10, 2009

Case File #10: "Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure"


The Weakerthans
"Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure"
Reunion Tour
(2007)




The need to know: With a special lyrical knack for poignant cleverness and a blend of folk and punk rock, Winnipeg, Manitoba's The Weakerthans have earned a dedicated following of anecdote and sonnet lovers since forming in 1997. Spearheaded by former Propagandhi bassist John K. Samson, and featuring Broken Social Scener Jasion Tait on drums, as well as stephen Carroll and Greg Smith on guitar and bass, respectively, The Weakerthans paint scenes featuring lonely canvassers, love notes to construction equipment and endearing old hockey goalies all with a hint of Samson's own introspection and the occasional bleeding heart. They also hate Winnipeg. Just FYI.

Why it's worthy: A song sequel to Reconstruction Site's "Plea From A Cat Named Virtute", here we find the run away puddy tat out on the prowl, and, like most of us would be, sick for the comforts of home. Despite the song's subject matter, Sampson never degrades into cutsey territory.  Sure, we're hearing the thoughts of a lost cat, but it never seems laughable or cartoony, which isn't too easy a task. Add in an explosion of soaring guitars and the feline's final admission ("I can't remember the sound that you found for me") and you'll be hard pressed not to take in the next stray you come across.

Quotable lyric: "I remember the way I would wait for you/ To arrive with kibble and a box full of beer/ How I'd scratch the empties desperate to hear/ You make the sound that you found for me"

Where you've heard it: In the mews of every lost cat.

Get obsessed:

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